Business Director, Innovation in London

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale.

For more information, visit the company.com.

Role Summary and Impact

Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650 you'll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country.

This is meaningful work with real-world impact - the kind you can point to with pride. The advertising industry is in the midst of the biggest multi-generational communications shift in history. CMOs and public sector leaders are mastering two critical transformations: delivering a data, technology & AI-powered future, and moving beyond paid advertising.

WPP Media is establishing The Experience Capability, a transformational offering that sits at the heart of integrated ESOP (Earned, Shared, Owned, Paid) strategies. This capability creates and integrates experiences across Platforms, Applied Innovation, DCO, Creators, and Creative Excellence to unlock growth for our clients' most pressing business challenges.

We are seeking a Business Director (BD), Innovation to serve as the key strategic and operational driver for our flagship UK Government account (WPP 650). Reporting directly to the VP, Innovation, this role is instrumental in developing breakthrough innovation strategies, designing cutting‑edge thought‑leadership frameworks, and translating complex technology/media trends into actionable public‑sector campaigns.

You will work closely with multi‑disciplinary planners and strategists across the entire WPP 650 team. Crucially, you will act as a key collaborative bridge—partnering with Citizen Consultancy and Behavioural Science specialists to ground creative technology in deep audience understanding, integrating DE&I frameworks to ensure innovations are accessible and representative, operationalising the implementation of innovation with Activation, Data, Tech & Analysis teams, and coordinating with dedicated Hub teams to turn strategies into high‑impact public service campaigns.

A core component of this leadership role is the direct line management, mentorship, and development of 1 Account Manager, while driving a culture of creative, evidence‑based experimentation across our client‑facing teams.

Skills and Experience

• This leader will possess a potent mix of strategic sharpness, creative curiosity, and operational discipline.
• They will be highly skilled at taking abstract emerging technology trends and framing them into practical, highly structured briefs that solve immediate government communication challenges.
• The role demands exceptional interpersonal skills, high EQ, and organizational agility.
• You will navigate a complex, multi‑department government landscape, building trusted relationships with senior civil servants, GCS (Government Communication Service) leads, and diverse internal agency capabilities.
• You must be comfortable presenting in client boardrooms and skilled at simplifying complex concepts into clear, persuasive, inclusive, and award‑worthy narratives.

Key Requirements:

• Strategy, creative, or technology-driven planning experience within a leading media agency, digital shop, or innovation consultancy.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinker with a deep understanding of digital media, experience design (CX), and emerging technologies (such as Applied AI, conversational interfaces, and immersive formats).
• Proven track record in strategy development —specifically in turning cultural insights and technological trends into multi‑channel communication strategies.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working alongside specialized divisions, such as behavioral scientists, qualitative research consultancies, and DE&I advisory specialists.
• Direct report management experience with a passionate approach to mentoring junior talent, fostering their skills in strategic thinking and creative application.
• Impeccable presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to confidently pitch bold, evidence‑based ideas and command rooms of diverse stakeholders.
• Strong operational and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects, keep delivery on track, and meet tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience in creating thought‑leadership content, such as trends whitepapers, capability‑building workshops, and client‑facing educational playbooks.
• An active problem‑solver and self‑starter who naturally challenges the status quo and seeks out novel ways to improve processes.

Leadership Areas

• Strategic Leadership & Operationalisation (~30%)
• Client Leadership & Consultative Impact (~40%)
• Team Leadership & Capability Development (~20%)
• Network Collaboration & Internal Enablement (~10%)

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.